The Cliffs of Moher is a natural attraction and visitor experience located on the western coast of County Clare. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
The cliffs are an enormously popular stop on day trips from Galway and tours from Dublin.
The information in this guide was updated in May 2026, confirming that parking is included in the admission fee and that tickets are validated at a dedicated drive-through pod upon arrival.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (May to August). |
| Ticket prices | Adult from €8.00 / Senior or Student from €6.00 / Child Free. |
| Address | Liscannor, County Clare, V95 RV9B. |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site visitor car park opposite the main centre. |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 to 3 hours. |
Cliffs of Moher opening hours
The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience is open to the public daily throughout the year. Operating hours vary by season, opening from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM between May and August, and 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM in March, April, September, and October. During the winter months from November to February, the site opens from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The attraction is closed completely on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December. Visitors should note that severe weather conditions can sometimes force the outdoor paths to close for safety.
Why book the Cliffs of Moher & Galway City Tour?
- 🌊 The Magnificent Cliffs of Moher: Spend two hours at Ireland’s most iconic natural wonder, where you can walk the 700-foot (214m) tall cliff edges for sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the distant Aran Islands.
- 🎭 Galway City Discovery: Enjoy free time in Ireland’s “Cultural Capital” to explore the vibrant, cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter, listen to legendary buskers, or join a guided walking tour of the city’s historic heart.
- 🌑 The Burren’s Lunar Landscape: Experience a unique limestone landscape that looks like the surface of the moon, home to rare Arctic and Mediterranean flora and megalithic monuments older than the pyramids.
- 🌅 Wild Atlantic Way Drive: Journey along one of the world’s most spectacular coastal routes, featuring stops at picturesque spots like the Kinvara fishing harbor and views of the medieval Dunguaire Castle.
- 🚐 Premium Full-Day Comfort: Travel from Dublin in a luxury, air-conditioned coach with onboard WiFi and USB charging ports, accompanied by a separate driver and an expert storyteller guide.
Cliffs of Moher ticket prices
Standard adult admission starts at €8.00, while seniors and students pay €6.00. Children aged twelve and under enter for free, and a dedicated family ticket covering two adults and two children is available from €16.00. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
These are the online prices. Pay on the gate, and it’s €15.00 for adults.
How to get to the Cliffs of Moher
The most common way to reach the site is by driving a private vehicle along the Wild Atlantic Way route. The visitor centre is situated in County Clare, roughly a one-hour drive northwest of Shannon Airport and an hour and a half from Galway city.
Public transport users can catch the Bus Éireann route 350, which connects Galway to Ennis and stops at the main coach park. Various private tour operators also run daily guided coach trips from Dublin, Galway, and Limerick directly to the site.
Parking at the Cliffs of Moher
Parking at the Cliffs of Moher is included in the price of admission and features a large, dedicated main car park. This primary parking area is located on the opposite side of the road from the visitor centre and the cliff edge.
On arrival, visitors drive to an admission pod to exchange their booking confirmation for site passes before parking. Dedicated parking spaces for chauffeured vehicles are provided within the lot, though electric vehicle charging points are not currently available on-site.
How long to spend at the Cliffs of Moher
A typical visit to explore the site comprehensively lasts between two and three hours. This provides ample time to view the interactive exhibition, walk the 800 metres of paved cliff paths, and visit O’Brien’s Tower.
Those who wish to walk the longer, unpaved coastal trail stretching towards Doolin or Liscannor will need to allocate significantly more time.
Accessibility at the Cliffs of Moher
The main visitor centre building and exhibition are fully wheelchair accessible. Accessibility at the Cliffs of Moher includes 800 metres of safe, paved pathways with raised viewing platforms designed to accommodate mobility aids and pushchairs.
The site offers an electric mobility vehicle service called the “Lifts of Moher,” which is driven by experienced guides to help less mobile visitors reach key viewing areas. Manual wheelchairs are also available to borrow from the front desk, and designated accessible parking spaces are located near the pedestrian crossing.
What to see at the Cliffs of Moher
The central focus of any visit is the expansive view from the cliff edge, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can walk along the secure, paved pathways to take in the vertical drop of the shale and sandstone rock formations. On clear days, the views stretch across Galway Bay to the Aran Islands.
O’Brien’s Tower sits near the highest point of the cliffs, serving as a historic observation point. Built in 1835 by a local landlord, the stone tower provides an elevated vantage point. Access to the tower is included in the standard admission price, though it occasionally closes due to high winds.
The site provides excellent opportunities for bird watching, particularly around the seabird colonies on Goat Island. Visitors can use the raised viewing platforms to spot Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and guillemots nesting on the narrow rock ledges during the spring and summer breeding seasons.
Built into the hillside to minimise its visual impact on the landscape, the main visitor centre houses an interactive exhibition. This modern space features a virtual reality cliff-face adventure, allowing visitors to experience the environment from a unique perspective regardless of the weather outside. The centre also provides detailed information on the local geology and marine life.
The visitor centre complex includes two cafes, a craft and gift store, and a retail street showcasing local artisans. Visitors can purchase souvenirs, stop for a hot meal, and use the free water refill stations before continuing their journey along the coast.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Practical visitor tip |
| Timing | Arrive before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM during the summer to avoid the large concentration of daily coach tour groups. |
| Crowds | Download the free official audio guide application before your visit to bypass queueing for physical information leaflets. |
| Layout | Wear windproof layers and sturdy walking shoes, as the exposed coastal paths are subjected to strong ocean breezes. |
| Entry process | Book your admission tickets online in advance to secure your entry slot and proceed straight to the admission pod upon arrival. |
| On-site logistics | Use the free baggage storage facility located in the visitor centre if you are travelling with large backpacks. |
Frequently asked questions about the Cliffs of Moher
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Cliffs of Moher suitable for children? | Yes, the site is suitable for children and features safe, paved pathways set back from the abrupt cliff edges. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Cliffs of Moher? | Yes, visitors are advised to book tickets online in advance to guarantee entry and secure a specific arrival time. |
| Is the Cliffs of Moher open on Sundays? | Yes, the visitor experience is open on Sundays year-round, following the standard seasonal opening hours. |
| Are bags allowed at the Cliffs of Moher? | Yes, visitors can bring day bags, and the site also offers a free baggage storage service for larger items. |
| Are dogs allowed at the Cliffs of Moher? | Yes, dogs are permitted on the outdoor pathways provided they are kept on a short lead at all times. |
Things to do near the Cliffs of Moher
- Doolin Cave: A limestone cave system featuring one of the longest free-hanging stalactites in the world, accessible via a guided underground tour.
- Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre: A popular family attraction offering guided cave tours and daily flying displays featuring eagles and falcons.
- Lahinch Beach: A vast, crescent-shaped sandy beach known for its consistent Atlantic waves and vibrant surfing community.
- Poulnabrone Dolmen: A striking Neolithic portal tomb situated on the exposed limestone pavement of the Burren landscape.
- Doolin Pier: The main departure point for passenger ferries travelling to the Aran Islands and offering boat tours operating below the cliffs.
What to visit tomorrow
- Bunratty Castle and Folk Park: A comprehensively restored fifteenth-century tower house surrounded by a large park recreating nineteenth-century Irish village life.
- King John’s Castle: A massive thirteenth-century fortress located on King’s Island in Limerick, featuring interactive historical exhibitions.
- Kylemore Abbey: A large Victorian castle and walled garden situated on the edge of a scenic lake in the Connemara region.
- Connemara National Park: A vast expanse of protected mountains, bogs, and heaths offering extensive hiking trails and native Connemara ponies.
- Killarney National Park: A major natural attraction in County Kerry featuring historic estates, large lakes, and scenic driving routes.
More Ireland travel
Other Ireland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What’s so important about the Ceide Fields Neolithic Site in County Mayo.
- A practical guide to visiting Cork City Gaol.
- What to know before visiting Charles Fort in Kinsale.
- Key information for visiting Blarney Castle near Cork.
- Planning a visit to Mizen Head in County Cork.
